Lawyers' Fund for Client Protection Releases First Quarter Report

During the first quarter of 2013, the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, funded by the state’s lawyers and judges, paid $432,735.58 to clients for losses caused by 14 lawyers, the Board of Trustees announced today.

The purpose of the fund is to pay on behalf of the honest majority of lawyers for the wrongdoing of the few who are suspended or disbarred for misappropriation.

In its 44-year history, the fund has paid claims against a total of 698 attorneys. There are 92,108 lawyers licensed in New Jersey.

The fund operates under the authority of the Supreme Court pursuant to Court Rule 1:28. The court appoints the seven trustees, five attorneys and two public members, who serve staggered 5-year terms without compensation.

The trustees consider clients’ claims and make awards when it is determined that the loss was caused by dishonest lawyer conduct, under fund rules.

Cases involving legal malpractices and negligence are handled through civil court actions and fee disputes through the district fee arbitration committees established by the Supreme Court.

For a claim to be paid, the attorney against whom it is filed must have been a member of the bar, acting as either attorney or fiduciary, at the time of the incident; and unless deceased, must have been disbarred or suspended from the bar, or convicted of embezzlement or other misappropriation of property.

An individual client can receive up to $400,000 for claims arising after Jan. 1, 2007 on lesser amounts for claims arising prior to that date. The fund can provide up to $1.5 million in claims against any one lawyer. Special permission can be granted by the Supreme Court to exceed the aggregate limit.

To receive a claim form, write to the New Jersey Lawyers’ Fund for Client Protection, Richard J. Hughes Justice Complex, P.O. Box 961, Trenton, New Jersey 08625-0961, or call 609-292-8008. The form must be completed, signed and returned with copies of any proofs of the transaction. There is no filing fee.